Saint of the Day: Bl. Eugenia Picco

Religious Sister (1867-1921)

Her life

+ Eugenia was born near Milan, Italy, and was the daughter of a famous traveling musician. Because her parents lived on the road, she was raised by her grandparents. After her mother returned home, however, Eugenia found herself in an unhealthy and immoral environment. 

+ To escape the realities of her home life, she would spend time in prayer each day in Milan’s Basilica of St. Ambrose. 

+ When she was 20 years old, Eugenia felt called to religious life and entered the Congregation of the Little Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary. 

+ After her final profession of religious vows in 1894, she served the community in a variety of positions, including novice mistress, archivist, general secretary, and, finally, as superior general. She held this final position from 1911 until her death in 1921.

+ For the final years of her life, Sister Eugenia suffered from a debilitating bone disease, which eventually led to the amputation of her right leg. 

+ Known for her devotion to the Eucharist and the poor, she also contributed greatly to the spiritual and cultural formation of the religious sisters. 

+ Blessed Eugenia Picco was beatified in 2001. 

For prayer and reflection

“I will bless the Lord who counsels me; / even at night my heart exhorts me. 

I keep the Lord always before me; / with the Lord at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.”—Psalm 16:7-8

Spiritual bonus 

On September 7, we also remember Blessed Ludovicus Maki Soetsu. A Married Japanese layman and the father of Blessed Ioannes Maki Jizaemon, he allowed the Jesuit priest Blessed Thomas Tsuji to celebrate Mass in his home, a “crime” for which he was arrested and killed. He was beatified in the same ceremony as Blessed Thomas and his son, Blessed Ioannes. 

Prayer

O God, by whose gift blessed Eugenia persevered in imitating Christ, poor and lowly, grant us through her intercession that, faithfully walking in our own vocation, we may reach the perfection you have set before us in your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For Religious)
Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S.